*Megaponera Analis*: The Ant That Hunts Termites & Saves Its Wounded

Megaponera analis, known as the Matabele ant, is a species found across sub-Saharan Africa that has drawn significant scientific attention. Its common name is a reference to the Matabele people, recognized for their military prowess, which mirrors the ant’s own sophisticated and organized behaviors. Residing in the savannas of the region, these ants exhibit a complex social system and behaviors that have made them a subject of interest for understanding insect societies. Their distinctive characteristics set them apart from many other ant species and provide a window into unique evolutionary adaptations.

Geographic Range and Specialized Diet

Megaponera analis inhabits the regions of sub-Saharan Africa, with its territory stretching from roughly 12° N to 25° S latitude. The ants construct subterranean nests that can be up to 0.7 meters deep, often situated near natural structures like trees and rocks or within abandoned termite mounds. These nests typically contain a single chamber that houses the queen, eggs, larvae, and cocoons, serving as the central hub for the entire colony.

The diet of M. analis is highly specialized, as they are termitophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on termites. Their predation is focused specifically on termites belonging to the Macrotermitinae subfamily. In some regions, termites like Macrotermes bellicosus are a primary food source, though the ants are known to prey on other species such as those from the Odontotermes genus as well.

Coordinated Hunting Expeditions

The process of hunting begins when a scout, a larger major worker, locates a termite foraging site. These scouts independently search areas up to 50 meters from the nest. Once a suitable location is identified, the scout avoids direct contact with the termites and returns directly to the nest to recruit nestmates for a raid. The recruitment is achieved by laying a chemical trail using pheromones from its poison gland, which guides the raiding party.

Following the scout’s signal, a large column of 200 to 500 ants is formed. This column marches in a structured formation toward the termite site, a behavior that can occur multiple times a day, often concentrated at dawn and dusk. Upon arrival, the ants execute an organized attack, breaking through the protective soil covering created by the termites to access their prey.

Pioneering Injury Response and Rescue

One of the most remarkable behaviors of Megaponera analis is its systematic rescue of injured nestmates. During the fierce battles with termite soldiers, many ants sustain injuries, such as losing limbs or having termites latch onto them. These injured ants release chemical signals to call for help. Specifically, they emit dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide from their mandibular glands, which alerts nearby nestmates to their distress.

This chemical cry for help triggers a rescue response from other ants in the raiding party. Healthy ants will locate their injured comrades, assess their condition, and carry them back to the safety of the nest. This behavior is not random; it is a targeted effort to save valuable members of the colony. Back in the nest, the rescued ants are tended to, a process that can involve cleaning their wounds.

This organized rescue behavior has a significant impact on the colony’s survival and success. Research has shown that injured ants that are carried back to the nest have a high rate of recovery. In contrast, injured individuals prevented from receiving aid have a much higher mortality rate, with studies indicating that around 32% of them perish. By saving its experienced workers, the colony maintains its workforce, which is a considerable advantage for a species reliant on dangerous group hunts for sustenance.

Societal Structure and Task Allocation

The colony of Megaponera analis is polymorphic, meaning its workers come in different sizes, primarily majors and minors. This size variation is linked to a clear division of labor. The larger major workers are often the ones who take on the roles of scouts and soldiers during raids, leveraging their size and strength for exploration and combat. Smaller workers, on the other hand, are more involved in tasks within the nest.

Inside the nest, this task allocation continues with smaller ants tending to the eggs and youngest larvae, while larger workers might handle larger larvae. Age also plays a part in this system of age polyethism, where younger ants perform duties within the nest and older, more experienced ants participate in the high-risk foraging and raiding activities.

The colony can include between 500 and 2,000 individuals, all working within this system. The presence of a single, highly productive queen ensures the continual replenishment of the colony’s population, supporting the complex operations necessary for its survival.